New York City holiday spirit has roared back to life, with Mayor Eric Adams announcing a full retail recovery, surging foot traffic, and a half-billion-dollar economic boost.

A new report from the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), titled “Festive Spending: The Impact of the Holiday Season on NYC Retail,” reveals that daily visits to city shopping districts peaked at 4.4 million in December 2023 — signaling a robust resurgence post-pandemic.

“New York City isn’t just coming back — we’re back, and we’re better than ever,” Mayor Adams declared. “We’re hitting jobs record after jobs record, we’ve brought our economy back from its COVID lows to hit new highs, and we’re continuing to put money back into working-class New Yorkers’ pockets. No time is that more true than the holidays.”

The report highlighted that retail hubs like Fifth Avenue, Times Square, and Bryant Park are drawing record crowds, while outer-borough districts such as Downtown Flushing and Downtown Brooklyn are experiencing similar spikes. In December 2023, weekend visitation surged 20% compared to non-holiday weekends, creating 14,000 seasonal jobs and generating over $500 million in economic impact.

NYCEDC President Andrew Kimball commented on the comeback, “New York City holiday season is expected to return to its pre-COVID levels this year, bringing millions of visitors, thousands of jobs, and hundreds of millions of dollars to our communities.”

As shoppers flock to iconic streets and local neighborhoods alike, Mayor Adams urged New Yorkers and visitors to embrace the city’s revival. “Shop local, shop small, and most of all, spend money in New York City!” he proclaimed.

With the city’s retail scene bustling and holiday cheer in full swing, NYC’s resilience is on display, proving that the Big Apple is not just back — it’s thriving.